A sensational second-half performance propelled Roscommon into their first Connacht SFC Final for four years as Mayo exited the provincial championship tamely in Castlebar on a 2-25 to 1-18 scoreline.
The Rossies made light of the absence of the suspended Daire Cregg and a mockery of their outsiders tag to cruise into the decider against Galway as they cut loose after half-time.
Mayo had no answer to the visitors' pace and power as Mark Dowd’s men dominated the middle third, and their free-scoring forward line shot 1-17 after the break to win pulling up.
Andy Moran’s home side had led by three points at the interval at 1-11 to 1-08, but they lost their way completely after the restart and could only add 10 points to their tally.
A crowd of 15,321 watched Roscommon carve open Mayo’s defence relentlessly with man of the match Diarmuid Murtagh leading the charge.
The captain shot 1-10 and delivered a tour de force, while Darragh Heneghan chipped in with 1-03, including a goal in the 63rd minute, to seal the impressive victory.
The influential Enda Smith and the industrious Dylan Ruane also hit three points each.
Mayo, in contrast, were far too reliant on championship debutant Kobe McDonald for scores and inspiration in attack. The teenager finished with six points, four of which came from play, while Ryan O’Donoghue was held to a goal from play and also tagged on four points from frees.
The home side also registered 10 wides on a day when Roscommon were far more efficient.
There seemed little sign of a Roscommon rout when Mayo led at half-time by 1-11 to 1-08.
Mayo came flying out of the blocks and raced into an early four-point lead, thanks to quickfire scores from Conor Loftus, Paddy Durcan, Jordan Flynn and McDonald.
You know what they say about 'if it first you don't succeed'. Second time proves a charm for Diarmuid Murtagh just after having been denied by the woodwork, and Roscommon have a goal.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 26, 2026
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Roscommon then came roaring back when the Heneghan cousins, Darragh and Robert, combined to set up Murtagh for a well-taken goal on 11 minutes.
The sides were level soon after when Darragh Heneghan landed the equaliser.
But Mayo were playing with pace and intent in that opening half, and a string of points from Loftus, O’Donoghue (a two-point free) and McDonald saw them lead by double scores after 22 minutes.
Murtagh kept the scoreboard ticking for the visitors with a couple of points at the other end, but Mayo then swooped for the first goal of the game as O’Donoghue netted in the 27th minute to push Mayo five points ahead. The Belmullet attacker then tacked on a free to increase the advantage.
Roscommon’s response to these setbacks was impressive as Murtagh and Smith raised white flags, and further scores from Murtagh, Dylan Ruane and Robert Heneghan cut the gap even further as the first half wound to a close.
In hindsight, this was a sign of things to come as Roscommon’s forward unit began to click, but McDonald posted an excellent score before the hooter sounded to send Mayo in leading by three points.
Things changed quickly after the resumption and it only took Roscommon three minutes to get back on level terms, thanks to a two-pointer from the prolific Murtagh and a white flag from Colm Neary.
Roscommon hit the front after a blistering start to the second half
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 26, 2026
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Moments later, Smith kicked the visitors into the lead for the first time and they never looked back. The 2019 Connacht champions outscored their hosts by 1-13 to 0-07 from that point to the finish as Mayo completely ran out of energy and ideas.
Roscommon sensed that the tide had turned and went for the jugular as Keith Doyle and Smith shot points to open up some daylight.
Mayo tried to weather the storm after conceding six unanswered points, with McDonald and Jack Carney both hitting the target, but this was only a brief respite from the Roscommon onslaught.
Moran introduced Fergal Boland and Matthew Ruane in a bid to get his team firing, but all to no avail as Roscommon landed 10 of the next 12 points during a blistering 20-minute spell.
The marauding Murtagh (three), Darragh Heneghan (two), subs Paul Carey (free) and Conor Hand, Dylan Ruane (two) and Doyle all cut through to score as Mayo struggled to keep up.
There were 10 points between the sides with 60 minutes played, and late frees from O’Donoghue and McDonald (two) were too little, too late from misfiring Mayo.
Darragh Heneghan’s goal in the 69th minute put the gloss on a good day’s work for Roscommon, while Mayo must now try and regroup ahead of the All-Ireland series.
Roscommon: C Carroll; P Gavin, C Keogh, E McCormack; E Ward, R Daly, S Lambe; K Doyle (0-02), C Ryan; D Ruane (0-03), E Smith (0-03), D Heneghan (1-03); D Murtagh (1-10, 2fs, 1tp, 1tpf), C Neary (0-01), R Heneghan (0-01).
Subs used: P Carey (0-01, 1f) for Keogh (50); C Hand (0-1) for R Heneghan (55); R Dolan for Lambe (58); S Cunnane for Ryan (60).
Mayo: R Hennelly; J Coyne, R Brickenden, E Hession; S Callinan, C Loftus (0-02), P Durcan (0-02); B Tuohy (0-01), D McBrien; J Carney (0-01), R O’Donoghue (1-04, 2fs, 1tpf), J Flynn (0-01); C McHale, A O’Shea, K McDonald (0-06, 1tpf).
Subs used: T Conroy for McHale (HT); D McHugh for Brickenden (41); F Boland for O’Shea (45); M Ruane (0-01) for Tuohy (45); C O’Connor for Loftus (59).
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath)
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